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Wednesday, October 26, 2016

On September 23rd, a group of students ranging from Urban Planning, Architecture, to Government studies embarked upon a 10 day journey through Havana, Cuba with the Mellon Collaborative Studies Fellowship program. Through a series of readings and seminar discussions, we attempted to apply the theoretical underpinnings of the course to Cuba's urban environment. Applying what we experienced in class though became difficult. Laden with the unexpected, the trip was much more than a formal study of the urbanization of Havana.

From the onset, we we're met with a tour guide named Vladimir (Vlad for short) who later admitted that our group was unique to him. As the days passed our relationship with him matured into something new for everyone. We weren't quite tourists neither were we researchers: our presence functioned somewhere in between these roles. For example, the question of "otherness" and ethics played a major role during a visit to the communities (El Fanguito) along the Almendares river bank, where Santeria "rule of the saints" an Afro-Cuban religion is practiced.

Sun, wind, rain, and vehicle exhaust framed the backdrop most days while we walked the streets of Havana. What we discovered in Old Havana became a metronome to what the urban Cuban faces in this unique transitory era. Rehabilitation and decay of the city's infrastructure proclaimed a sense of awe and potential within our minds. Old Havana is also a district the government recognizes potential as it represents the apex of redevelopment strategies. It's history is overwhelming where Neo-Baroque architecture sits as memories of colonial aspiration and revolutionary ideals.

Photo by Christine Kim

In all, I am still processing my experiences and it is safe to say so are my colleagues. Now back in another world within the university we have to turn our processes into intelligible projects. We are excited to share what comes out of our course and have developed a great love for Cuba's unique and complex history. Current efforts to work with a globalizing world where even it's closest allies are beginning to develop their own strategies to move forward into the coming decade have transitioned Cuba into a process that will indeed allow for more economic diversity. Yet at what cost is for the Communist project? This question is in the back of the minds of many around the world and most certainly the people of Cuba.

Friday, May 6, 2016

It’s getting on that frenetic time in the
semester when I’m at once looking forward to what’s next and back at what’s
been, while trying not to lose track of what still needs to be done. I am on
the board of Planning Students for Equity and Inclusion, and, as part of my
current stock-taking, I’ve been considering how we as a community are doing
with regard to the organization’s core concerns and how we as a board have
contributed.

First, some background on who we are for those
who may not be familiar with our organization. On this year’s board are Hannah
Bahnmiller, Keaton Wetzel, Minxuan Zou, and me, Stephen Wiley. After we took over in February
and discussed with the previous board, we decided to change the organization’s
name to Planning Students for Equity and Inclusion from Planning Students for
Diversity. We believe our new name better reflects the focus of the
organization, and more clearly broadcasts our mission.

Planning Students for Equity and Inclusion (PSEI)
seeks to engage with the Cornell planning community on issues related to social
justice and equity as well as ensure that CRP is a welcoming and inclusive
place to study.

We work to deepen students’ conception of social
justice by highlighting and stoking discussion of policies that entrench
unequal life outcomes; by deconstructing narratives of racism, sexism,
classism, nativism, and heteronormativity; and by foregrounding creative and
equitable solutions.

We assist our department in attracting and
yielding planning students that are traditionally underrepresented in the field
and critical to successfully tackling social inequity. Additionally, it is our
mission to ensure that students from every background feel safe, supported, and
valued in our department.

In my view, this has been an exceptional semester
of extra-curricular programming related to the issues central to our mission.
That is due in large part to the committed, coordinated efforts of students
throughout the department, and especially the work of former PSEI board member
Alia Fierro, who organized many of these events to tremendous success. PSEI and
OCP were more than thrilled to pitch in along the way. These events included a
well-curated, trio of speakers that addressed a range of equity and inclusion
topics, as well as the department’s first-ever event aimed at informing and
attracting undergraduates identifying as underrepresented minorities to the
planning field. Both the series and the event were expertly-executed and very
well-attended.

For our part, PSEI contributed two #RealTalk events
in the past two months, each featuring thoughtful discussion on obstacles
facing effective equity planning and potential strategies for overcoming those
blocks. The second of these events was facilitated by Professor Jamila Michener
of Cornell’s Government Department — my personal semester highlight. Professor
Michener, who studies racial inequality and urban poverty, greatly enriched our
on-going conversations about the ways in which government fails to engage and
respond to poor communities, often communities of color, and what planners can
do about it. We hope to have her back next semester to continue the discussion.

So there’s my look back. I have
to say, things went well, and it was a true group effort. As for what’s next,
PSEI is energized by Alia’s example, and thanks in large part to the support
from the other members of last year’s board, Jubek and Beth, we are in a great
position to build on the momentum of this semester’s success. That will mean
taking on more of the organizational tasks, which we are all very eager to do.
Our last board meeting will be next week, after which we plan to solicit the
CRP community for feedback and suggestions going into next year. Don’t worry
students, it will be after exams. So stay focused, but also stay tuned.

Tuesday, April 12, 2016

Sibley
Hall was abuzz with activity the weekend of March 18 as dozens of prospective
students visited Cornell to learn more about the City and Regional Planning
program.

On
Thursday evening, current students led small groups of prospective students to
their favorite restaurants in Collegetown, including Aladdins Natural Eatery,
De Tasty Hot Pot, The Nines for pizza, and Koko Korean. With full bellies and
initial introductions under their belts, each dinner group made their way to
The Nines for drinks and banter with more prospective and current students.

Bright
and early Friday morning, the Open House coordinators greeted prospective
students with nametags, informational packets, and an expansive breakfast
spread in Milstein Dome. Director of Graduate Studies Stephan Schmidt and
Historic Preservation Professor Jeff Chusid kicked off the morning of
departmental events with an introduction to Cornell and the Department of City
and Regional Planning. Current faculty members took turns introducing
themselves, the courses they teach, and their research interests. After a short
break, current students Thaddeus Bell (MRP/MPS ‘17), Annie Pease (MRP ‘16),
Zeynep Goksel (MRP/MLA ‘17) and Xiaozhong Sun (MRP ‘16) described their
experiences inside and outside CRP. Thaddeus and Zeynep encouraged students to
get involved in the Design Connect student organization to apply classroom
learning to real world planning projects. Annie discussed her research on
participatory budgeting during her travels to Indonesia and recommended that
students focus course projects on their area of interest in order to produce a
robust portfolio of work to support their exit projects and wow potential
employers. Sun, who will pursue a PhD in the CRP department upon graduation,
spoke about his research interests in informal markets.

"The current student and alumni panels
gave a good sense of student life and how Cornell's program prepared the alumni
for the job market."

After the
panels, prospective students mingled with alumni, current students, and faculty
over lunch before moving to Milstein Auditorium for a showing of Modern Ruin: A World’s Fair Pavilion.
Director Matthew Silva answered questions following the film as part of the CRP
City and Regional Futures Colloquium Series. From there, prospective students
were invited to speak with faculty members one-on-one during their office hours
before gathering for a campus walking tour. In between scheduled events,
prospective students were strongly encouraged to sit in on CRP courses and
weekly student organization meetings.

The two tour
groups endured a drizzly rain and arrived at the Big Red Barn to enjoy $1 beer
at Tell Grads It’s Friday (TGIF) with other current students. The Barn provided
a cozy respite from the weather and gave prospectives time to chat candidly
with current students. From there, the entire group walked to the Miller Heller
House in Collegetown for a dinner hosted by the various student groups inside
the City and Regional Planning department. Sushi, wraps, and other tasty
nibblies filled students’ plates as they socialized in the historic space. Each
student organization gave a brief introduction to their work and opportunities
for involvement, including Planning Students for Equity and Inclusion, Women’s
Planning Forum, International Planning Students Organization, Organization of
Cornell Planners, Design Connect, and the International City/County Management
Association.

"The Big Red Barn and the Student Group
Dinner were really great opportunities to have more casual conversations with
current students and to really ask questions/get a sense for the program. I
found that incredibly helpful. I was very impressed with the sense of
camaraderie among the students and their obvious love for the program."

After
dinner, the group walked downtown and gathered upstairs at Chanticleer for the
final event of the evening: the ever-popular Pecha Kucha presentations.
Students were met with dim lights, popular music, and a photo slideshow of CRP
departmental and social events. A mix of current MRP, HPP, and PhD students and
faculty presented 20 slides with only 20 seconds per slide before it
automatically flipped to the next slide. The open-ended prompt was “How Did You
Get Here?” Presenters had the audience in stitches as they flipped through baby
pictures and life experiences that led them to Cornell. This event is always a
favorite among prospective and current students alike. The dance floor opened
up and students enjoyed beverages, music and dancing until the bar closed.

Open House
weekend came to a close with a jog around town on Saturday afternoon. Current
students bid prospective students farewell, hoping to see many of them again in
the fall.

A few more
comments we received from Open House attendees in the post-event survey:

"Pecha Kucha was a wonderful way to know
professors & students better in an informal/casual atmosphere. It's a great
idea."

"I thought the most worthwhile events were
the classes we were invited to sit in on, and the faculty office hours. They
really better equipped me to the Cornell style of teaching and
instruction."

"Every student I interacted with leading
up to the open house was fantastic. They are so helpful and so enthusiastic
about the program."

"I really appreciated the quick turn
around on my application and the incredibly informative and enthusiastic
acceptance letter that I received. My entire administrative experience with
Cornell so far is a major "pro" in my pro/con list as I try to decide
on a program."

For those
who were unable to attend Open House 2016, a recording of the departmental
events can be accessed at this link.